Print Page - The Huge Circle Saw.

Title: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Jeff on July 20, 2003, 03:31:32 PM

Thought I would continue this here from the I saw sumpthin. And it was HUGE! (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=3487.0) thread.

Tammy and Stacy and I went back up to West Branch to the Pioneer Power old engine show this morning. We got there early and I ran into an old fellow that caught me taking a picture of that great big saw. As it turns out it is actually only 9 ft in diameter. It was especially made by the simonds company and was new. They said they will not make any more. It takes a f pattern shank and holds 100 teeth! It turns at 350 RPM and the power unit is 400 horsepower. Not sure what the H.P. is at the husk.

(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/Leslie_McKenny.jpg)

Turns out the Les McKenney and his son Dale from Laclede Missouri owned the rig. It is put together from several sources. It has an old Corley carriage drive.

(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/corley_drive.jpg)

A carriage of un know manufacture that was found in a widow lady's field in Missouri.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/big_carriage.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/carriage_boardside.jpg)

Here is Les and I standing next to the carriage stop that keeps the big thing on the tracks for now. A huge chunk of charred wood.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/les_jeff_carriage_stop.jpg)

Les was originally from this area and moved with his family to missouri in the 40's.

Here is a picture of stacy standing next to a cant from the mill. They cut it down a ways so one of the tiny mills could have a wack at it.

(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/48inch_cant_stacy.jpg)

Here is a picture of the mill slabbing off a board similar to one that they gave to the forestry forum. I will try to have it at the picnic. A full 48 inches wide!

(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/buried_in_cottonwood.jpg)

I'll continue this after while with more pics and a couple videos.

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Bibbyman on July 20, 2003, 03:35:52 PM

Wonder what UPS would say when they came to pick up the blade to ship it off for re-sharp. ???

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Tom on July 20, 2003, 03:36:48 PM

Wow! And only 9 feet in diameter. :D

What's the story from Simonds as to why they won't make another one? What is the purpose of the mill? I guess most large saws now are bands. Lookin' good!

It could be that Stacy is only 36" tall. :D

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: woodhaven on July 20, 2003, 03:42:06 PM

I'm Embarrassed,
I thought my little 52" blade was big.

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Jeff on July 20, 2003, 03:56:57 PM

Sounds like they just are not geared up for making blades of this caliber was my guess. Maybe we can find a way to get this thread to the simonds people somehow and they could tell us more. I do know that the saw blade cost upwards of 10,000 dollars. I think the real purpose of this saw is "Lets build sumpthun really big and really cool" ;D

I was having such a joyful time climbing around this beheamoth. I wanted to cry from my back hurting, but nobody would have noticed past the grin on my face looking at this saw and visiting with Les and Dale.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/jeff_boardside.jpg)

Leslie and Dale as I said, are from Missouri but the saw will be staying in Michigan and will have a building constructed for it so it can be used at this show every year.

McKenny Log & Lumber
"We deal in goods from the woods"
Laclede MO (660) 963-2651

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Jeff on July 20, 2003, 04:05:40 PM

here is a picture of Les guiding the front end loaderin to adjust a large ash log on the carriage.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/les_guides_ash_log.jpg)

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: BW_Williams on July 20, 2003, 05:00:44 PM

Jeff, way cool sawmill, what do you consider portable, ie manhours to teardown and set up, and how big of loader are we talking here, 988? BWW

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Jeff on July 20, 2003, 05:14:55 PM

Everything came in on a bif drop deck trailor. Not sure of the loader size but here is a pic with it in it.

(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/bigsaw_loader.jpg)

The carriage track and frame was made of ridgid heavy pipe and I beam.

I guess the saw is really not technically a portable unit, but it was moved in 4 peices. Carriage, husk and track frame, power unit, and of course the saw blade. I forgot to get a picture of the saw crate. :-/ even that was impressive!

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Jeff on July 20, 2003, 05:21:40 PM

Couple more photos. The first one give a better idea of the mass of the carriage. For some reason none of these pictures gives you the impression of the mass of this thing. At least to me.

(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/big_boys_toys.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/sawingash2.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/bigsaw_Dale_Jeff.jpg)

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: EZ on July 20, 2003, 06:16:39 PM

Whats the turf on a blade that size.
EZ

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Jeff on July 20, 2003, 06:19:28 PM

They were using a 5/16

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: chet on July 20, 2003, 08:07:19 PM

Here I was, all primed up to see this monster 10' saw and now ya tell me it only measures 9'. ;D

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Ron Wenrich on July 20, 2003, 08:12:27 PM

So, who do they get to hammer that thing? You would need special equipment just to handle a saw like that.

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: chet on July 20, 2003, 08:14:56 PM

Great pics Jeff. How 'bout convincing yur new buddies inta bringin' dat dar biga** saw to da picnic. :) I'm sure dars sum trees in dat dar Higgins Lake area we can try her out on. ;D

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Jeff on July 20, 2003, 08:31:00 PM

They have a special bar made up to sling it from the loader in order to ount is to the mandrel.

Hammer it? I got no clue. :D You would need a whole team of elfs I think.

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: D._Frederick on July 20, 2003, 08:52:41 PM

Jeff,
what make is the power unit? Did it cut with any speed?

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Rusty on July 20, 2003, 09:08:47 PM

Good job Jeff! I'd sure like to see that thing run.Rusty

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Texas Ranger on July 20, 2003, 10:04:49 PM

I think JeffB and y'all just came down with blade envy! ::)

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: smwwoody on July 20, 2003, 10:38:22 PM

OK Who has a 50" edger to set behind this thing ;D

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: smwwoody on July 20, 2003, 10:41:58 PM

Jeff
Does the guy on the carraige run the setworks and set dogs?

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Jeff on July 21, 2003, 02:36:12 AM

Yep the rider helps set the dogs and the setworks. The log is turned with the front end loader cause of the size of the demo wood.

Sorry to say, the only thing I remember about the power source is its 400 horse power

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: shopteacher on July 21, 2003, 05:37:50 AM

How'd you like to be the off bearer on that thing? Make me hurt just thinking about it. :'(

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Jeff on July 21, 2003, 06:06:39 AM

Not me! Actually Les, who is in his 70's I think and a younger fellow were pulling the lumber. I have a board here and let me tell you it was all Tammy and Stacy and crippled up me could do to slide it out of the truck and lean it up outside. I'll take a picture later. Its a 5/4" by 48" by 8 ft. cottonwood board. :D :o

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Jeff on July 21, 2003, 06:08:01 AM

Shop teacher, I hate to say this but your user pic is so ugly yer scary. :D

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: shopteacher on July 21, 2003, 06:34:40 AM

I was a little overworked the day it was taken. :D :D :D
Although I'm glad I had my teeth done before this was taken. 8) 8)

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Ianab on July 22, 2003, 06:23:10 AM

have to ask.....
can you get it as a swingblade ??? :D

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Jeff on July 22, 2003, 01:23:02 PM

It that big ole blade started going horizontal I'd be makin tracks.

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: shopteacher on July 22, 2003, 02:44:55 PM

Sideways that'd make one hell of a weedeater!! 8)

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Tim on July 22, 2003, 05:13:27 PM

picture the bulledger that would have to go behind that machineto choak back a 4 1/2 foot cant... oO!!!

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Tom on July 22, 2003, 07:08:57 PM

Looks like a Georgia Bulldog.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/Ga%20G.JPG)
I like it!

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: shopteacher on July 22, 2003, 07:30:59 PM

Well at least someone likes my taste in pictures. ;D Thanks Tom

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Tom on July 22, 2003, 07:33:22 PM

Ya need to put a Georgia hat on him. :D

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Jeff on July 22, 2003, 08:09:05 PM

(https://forestryforum.com/board/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tomssaw.com%2Ftombody2.gif&hash=c45cdacf5aa67b5e482e197fae811db44db2b58f)

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Tom on July 22, 2003, 08:34:32 PM

Yeah! Like that one. 8) :D
www.tomssaw.com

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Frank_Pender on July 22, 2003, 10:38:40 PM

Hey, Tom, you're not going to the dogs, are ya? :D :D :D :D

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Jeff on July 23, 2003, 04:43:30 PM

Here is the conttonwood board cut for the forestryforum with a chair for scale. 5/4 by 48" by 8 foot.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/48inchboard_and_chair.jpg)

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: shopteacher on July 23, 2003, 05:18:38 PM

Wow, I need about 50 of them for the sheeting on my barn.

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: whitepe on July 24, 2003, 07:28:28 AM

Wow Jeff,
I guess this fella wins the my dog's bigger than your dog
contest. :) Where's Stacy's cat racing hat.? :D

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: johncinquo on July 24, 2003, 01:43:35 PM

Why do we build something like that? Because we are MEN! Always fun to make whatever you have be bigger, faster, louder, or stronger than someone else. That this is impressive. Yeah my thoughts were the same when looking at it, hate to offload that thing, especially when that blade is humming along! Man that is a riot that you could cut sheets big enough to be plywood with one pass. That thing would fit in better in the NW with some of those monster redwoods than in MI. Wonder what the biggest one like that is? Gotta be a commercial company that has something similar. Wheres Ripleys when you need them.

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Jeff on July 24, 2003, 07:06:02 PM

QuoteWow Jeff,
I guess this fella wins the my dog's bigger than your dog
contest. :) Where's Stacy's cat racing hat.? :D

Its on the dash of her truck right now she says.

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Dave Shepard on February 26, 2008, 10:14:42 PM

Thought everyone might like to see this monster, some threads are timeless. :)

Why does one need a hat to race a cat?

Dave

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Don_Papenburg on February 26, 2008, 10:38:36 PM

You can't run as fast as a cat without a hat.

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Jeff on February 27, 2008, 07:18:23 AM

Here is a related thread...

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,13330.0.html

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: logwalker on February 27, 2008, 12:13:22 PM

Jeff, Thanks for bringing this to the top. Is this the biggest blade you have seen in your travels or heard of?

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Jeff on February 27, 2008, 01:03:33 PM

Biggest I have saw personally. I have a photo that is in the historic photo thread that shows some monsters. I'll find the link...

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Jeff on February 27, 2008, 01:05:52 PM

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,18781.0.html

Here is the photo I was thinking of:

(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/big_saws.jpg)

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: logwalker on February 27, 2008, 04:18:48 PM

That could be around 10' gaugeing from the fellow standing next to it. I did a search for images and this website popped up. Good site with lots of pics.

my long link (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://bill-hay.com/Lake/images/BodieTeeth.JPG&imgrefurl=http://bill-hay.com/Lake.htm&h=480&w=641&sz=69&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=ZbCQjnvSsdM-PM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbig%2Bsaws%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1B3GGGL_enUS177US230)

Jeff, How do you shorten up a long link?

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: Furby on February 28, 2008, 03:47:24 PM

Use the "insert hyperlink" button, it's the third one in just above the smiley's.
Code will look like this:

Code Select

[url][/url]
And you need to add to it:

Code Select

[url=http://www.google.com/]Link to Google[/url]

You get this:
Link to Google (http://www.google.com/)

Title: Re: The Huge Circle Saw.
Post by: zopi on March 01, 2008, 11:22:31 PM

atsa big tablesaw...just imagine how big a cove muolding it would make... ;D

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General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: Jeff on July 20, 2003, 03:31:32 PM